Tri-Lakes Education Briefs

Branson Schools

Take part in Branson Public Schools Community Survey

Take a few minutes to let your voice be heard! The district needs your input to help plan and design successful programs for our schools.

This survey is open to all Branson families and community members. All responses are confidential. The survey will remain open until Friday, April 11, 2025. Survey link is: https://form.jotform.com/250824883607161

Thank you for your participation!

March Pirate Proud honoree

We are excited to celebrate Rachel Giles as our March Pirate Proud honoree! Mrs. Giles is a dedicated Special Education teacher at Cedar Ridge Intermediate, where she has been making a positive impact on students for the past three years. Her passion for helping every student succeed, combined with her unwavering commitment to inclusion, creates a supportive and nurturing environment for all.

Giles (Photo submitted)

One nominator shared, “Mrs. Giles truly desires to meet the needs of all of her students. She sees their talents and strengths and looks for ways to build on them. Her calm demeanor and ability to create a safe environment for her students to share their thinking and try hard things allow for her classroom to be one that students thrive in.”

We want to celebrate our staff and the incredible job they do to support our district! From our amazing teachers to our dedicated cafeteria cooks, our district is packed with Pirates making a difference for kids. If you have noticed someone going above and beyond to make our district better, please complete a Pirate Proud nomination form at this link: https://bit.ly/3AytT1S

Branson Schools 2025-26 kindergarten registration

Branson Public Schools kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year will open on April 14. To be considered for placement, children must reside within the boundaries of Branson School District, turn five years old on or before July 31, 2025, and complete a free developmental screening through the Branson Parents as Teachers program.

Screenings will be held at Buchanan Elementary on April 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., and at Cedar Ridge Primary on April 16 and 17 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Families should bring proof of residency, proof of age, immunization records, and the parent or legal guardian’s ID to the screening. If you are unable to attend a screening on the dates offered, please call the building your student will attend to make an appointment.

To sign up for a kindergarten screening and for more information please visit our district website at www.branson.k12.mo.us

Hollister Schools

Hollister kindergarten round-up

Kindergarten round-up is just around the corner! If you or someone you know has a child turning five years old before August 1, be sure to come and check it out!

The event will be on Wednesday, April 16, at 5 p.m. at the Hollister Early Childhood Center. While there, you will have the opportunity to meet the kindergarten teachers, explore a school bus, attend an informative meeting, and have questions answered!

Please RSVP at  https://forms.gle/zae65Uhta56YUWUy5 or by calling 417-243-4015.

Reeds Spring Schools

Reeds Spring School District recognizes Exellence Award winners

Every month, the Reeds Spring School District recognizes one non-teaching staff member and one certified teacher as Excellence Award winners. The winners for March are Brenda Miller and Nicole Rantz.

Rantz, Miller (Photos submitted)

Miller is a paraprofessional at Reeds Spring Middle School.

“Ms. Brenda goes above and beyond for the students. She is able to build relationships with students that others cannot. She knows how to show the students she cares for them,” said teacher Jen Mayfield.

Rantz is a sixth grade teacher at Reeds Spring Intermediate School.

Student Nora Mitchell said, “Mrs. Rantz is a really good teacher because no matter what you need, she is always there for you. If you don’t get the process of a math problem, she will show you and continue to encourage you until you can get it right. She makes us feel like we can solve and accomplish anything!”

The district accepts Excellence Award nominations from students, staff, parents, and community members. You can find the nomination form at www.rs-wolves.com.

School of the Ozarks

School of the Ozarks takes field trip to Missouri Capitol Building

School of the Ozarks seventh graders recently took their annual trip to Jefferson City, Missouri, to meet with government officials and tour the Capitol building. This trip helps students gain a better understanding of government while experiencing the inner workings of our Missouri House of Representatives.

Students had an opportunity to sit in the gallery and enjoy the representatives’ discussion and the process of voting on bills. Additionally, they were able to meet with Taney County Representative Brian Seitz and Stone County Representative Burt Whaley.

Seitz took them to the upper dome of the Capitol building which overlooks the Missouri River and the capital city. Additionally, Seitz stayed and visited with the students as they were led on a tour through the Capitol building.

“It is a blessing to cooperate with our Taney County Representative, Mr. Brian Seitz, while planning and executing this trip,” said Jennifer Carey, assistant professor at School of the Ozarks. “Representative Seitz welcomes our students each year, makes them feel at home in their State Capitol building, and treats them with kindness and respect. He makes time for the kids, shares what it is like to be a representative in the state of Missouri, and takes them on a tour throughout the building, including his own office.”

Burt Whaley met the seventh graders outside the gallery, introduced himself, explained how he represents his constituents, and answered the students’ questions about Missouri government.

Will Burney, a School of the Ozarks 2023 graduate currently interning with the Missouri Senate, met with the students at the Capitol and shared the impact the Jefferson City trip had on him as a School of the Ozarks seventh grader.

“It was this trip that got me interested in government service,” Burney said. “I’m here today serving as a Senate intern because of what I learned on this trip.”

“This trip supports our academic, cultural, patriotic, vocational and Christian pillars,” Carey said. “It shows students their government in action and encourages them to get involved in serving others.